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Biomedical subjects

M Grassi

Publications and source records attributed to M Grassi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Behavioral and neurochemical alterations induced by reversible conductive hearing loss in aged male rats.

Eighteen months old male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were subjected to a reversible conductive hearing loss (HL) or a sham operation. A series of behavioral tests performed 3 months after surgery, revealed a sustained deficit in learning and memory capacity and a marked depressive attitude of rats with HL. At this time, a group of these animals were allowed to recover from HL for 1 month and were again tested behaviorally compared to those with persistent auditory deficit. A better performance at the active and passive avoidance tests and normal responsiveness to the despair test was found in animals with recovered hearing capacity as compared to those with persistent HL. A biochemical analysis revealed a decrease of dopamine and homovanillic acid content and of choline-acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity in the striatum and hippocampus of animals with persistent HL as compared to those with recovered auditory deficit. These data suggest that persistent auditory deafferentation affects cognitive mechanism in old rats in a reversible manner.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Morphological bases for thallium-201 uptake in cardiac imaging and correlates with myocardial blood flow distribution.

To determine the morphological bases of thallium-201 myocardial distribution in chronic cardiac dysfunction and their relation to myocardial blood flow, myocardial slices from ten excised hearts of five chronic ischaemic heart disease patients and five idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients, were imaged on a gamma camera to quantitate the uptake of thallium-201, injected 4 h before surgery, and myocardial blood flow from distribution of technetium-99m-labelled human albumin microspheres injected during surgery. Tracer distribution was correlated with histologically assessed myocardial fibrosis and myocytolysis. Thallium-201 uptake was inversely related to fibrosis (r = -0.73, in ischaemic heart disease, r = -0.65 in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy). In ischaemic heart disease, myocardial blood flow was related neither to thallium-201 uptake (r = 0.41) nor to the extent of fibrosis (r = -0.48). In this group, segments with normal or mildly reduced thallium-201 uptake showed significantly lower fibrosis than those with moderate or severe uptake defects (5 +/- 7% and 7 +/- 11% vs 33 +/- 14% and 42 +/- 12%, respectively, P < 0.0001. In a clinical model of chronic ischaemic dysfunction, despite severely depressed myocardial blood flow, extensive areas of myocardium devoid of significant structural impairment are present. Thallium-201 uptake effectively discriminates regions with preserved viability from those with relevant myocardial damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The effect of a single mechanical treatment on the subgingival microflora in patients with HIV-associated gingivitis.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a single episode of scaling and root planing on clinical periodontal parameters and on the subgingival microflora in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative subjects. 13 subjects participated and were clinically scored at days -7, 7, 30 and 90. 7 subjects were infected with HIV and presented an HIV-associated gingivitis. 6 subjects were HIV-negative with at least 12 teeth affected by conventional gingivitis. No significant differences were seen between both groups regarding the presence of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and A. actinomycetemcomitans. The mean plaque index (PlI) was 1.79 in the HIV-negative and 1.29 in the HIV-positive group. The mean gingival index (GI) was higher in the HIV-positive group (HIV-positive: 1.55; HIV-negative: 1.47). Whereas, the PlI decreased significantly in the HIV-negative group during the course of the study, no change was observed in the HIV-positive group. GI as well as bleeding upon sampling decreased significantly in both patient groups during the same period. The bacterial counts decreased from day -7 to day 7 and generally remained on a lower level until day 90. Small differences were seen in the microbiological flora of the HIV-positive and the HIV-negative subjects following mechanical treatment.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

[Polymyalgia rheumatica associated with myelodysplasia].

In this paper we describe a patient, female 76 years aged, who showed typical symptomatic, haematologic and instrumental findings of polymyalgia rheumatica. The patient also showed myelodysplastic syndrome and peripheral signs of vasculitis, which some authors refer in association with PMR. The improvement obtained with steroidal therapy confirmed the clinical picture of case.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Endoscopic and histologic findings of gastric mucosa and Helicobacter pylori prevalence in patients suffering from chronic liver disease].

In this research we evaluated the prevalence of Hp in the gastric mucosa in patients suffering for chronic liver disease, either chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Sixty-three patients 27 with chronic hepatitis and 36 with liver cirrhosis, were examined by EGDS; of them we evaluated: endoscopic findings of stomach and duodenum, histology of gastric mucosa (antrum and corpus-fundus), presence of Hp in the histologic samples. We compared the positivity for Hp with the following parameters: presence of esophageal varices, macroscopic aspect of the gastric and duodenal mucosa, presence of hystological findings of gastritis, gastritis's activity, grading of the hepatic damage. In the our research we didn't point out greater prevalence of the Hp in the gastric mucosa with respect to hepatic damage, esophageal varices or macroscopic signs of gastric pathology. The Hp is significantly associated with histologic evidence of gastritis and also with the grade of gastritis's activity. The data of the present work don't suggest any correlation within the pathologic changes of the gastric mucosa caused from the liver cirrhosis and the presence or the growth of Hp.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Motility of the gastric antrum and the gallbladder following oral administration of sulfate-bicarbonate].

The authors evaluate the influence of a sulphate-bicarbonate mineral water on gastric emptying and cholecystic motility. Nine healthy volunteers drunk at settled intervals and with same procedures equal doses of mineral water and tap water on alternate days. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the gastric emptying and cholecystic volumes was performed before and after mineral water and top water drinks at settled intervals. The mean values of the gastric and the cholecystic volumes were calculated and compared at the single times. The results showed a significant colecystocinetic effect of the mineral water compared with tap water. No difference was observed in the gastric emptying with the mineral and tap water. Our work contributes to the knowledge of the pharmacodynamic effects of the mineral water employed and confirms its usefulness in the syndromes based on alterations in bile secretion and bile excretion in duodenum.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

[Crenotherapy in sports medicine: the state of the art].

The existing relationship linking thermal and sport medicine has developed with time. This is shown by the established beneficial effects of thermal treatments (mineral waters, mud baths, balneotherapy, aerosol applications) in a wide range of sport and non-sport related injuries. The muscle fatigue syndrome is a condition particularly worrisome for sports practising individuals. This condition impairs the cardiovascular system, as well as hematologic, renal and gastrointestinal functions, acting via biochemical and metabolic modifications of the organism, which have effects also on the psyche of the subject. The treatment of this syndrome includes the use of specific mineral waters, which underscores that the correct hydration of the organisms is a precondition to achieve high performance levels. Traumas involving muscles and skeletal segments, and precocious arthrosis occur with higher frequency in sportsmen after continuous and intense stresses. Within the scope of rheumatology, mud-baths and balneotherapy have curative and rehabilitative potentials leading to a reduction, and often a disappearance, of pain with a faster recovery of the locomotory system. The gastrointestinal system is a target of psychic as well as physical stresses displaying symptoms or diseases which may be favourably addressed with the aid of mineral waters. This treatment has proved effective in secretory and motility dysfunctions of the biliary tree allowing a rapid functional recovery. Mineral water treatments are successfully employed in the treatment of urologic disturbance and ORL and dermatological pathologies, where local applications such as mud baths, balneotherapy, showers and aerosols, play a critical role.

Balneology↗
PubMed1996

Growth inhibition of human colon carcinoma cells by combinations of anti-epidermal growth factor-related growth factor antisense oligonucleotides.

GEO is a well-differentiated colon cancer cell line that coexpresses the epidermal growth factor-like growth factors CRIPTO (CR), amphiregulin (AR), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). Antisense 20-mer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (AS S-oligos) directed against CR, AR, and TGF-alpha mRNAs were equipotent in their ability to inhibit both the anchorage-dependent growth and the anchorage-independent growth (AIG) of GEO cells, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of about 5 micrometer in the AIG assay. A supraadditive effect was observed when a combination of S-oligos was used. For example, a combination of two different AS S-oligos (either AR + CR, or TGF-alpha + CR, or TGF-alpha + AR) at a concentration of 1 micrometer each (total concentration, 2 micrometer) resulted in 50% inhibition of GEO cells AIG, whereas the use of each AS S-Oligo at a 1 or 2 micrometer concentration resulted respectively in about 10 and 20% growth inhibition. A combination of the three AS S-oligos was even more effective, resulting in about 60% inhibition of GEO cells AIG at a concentration of 1 micrometer each (3 micrometer total concentration). The AS S-oligos were also able to inhibit specifically the expression of either AR, CR, or TGF-alpha proteins in GEO cells, as assessed using immunocytochemistry or Western blot analysis. Finally, a supraadditive growth inhibitory effect of the AS S-oligos and an epidermal growth factor receptor-blocking antibody (monoclonal antibody 528) was observed. These data suggest that the use of a combination of AS S-oligos directed against different growth factors and antibodies directed against their receptors might result in an efficient inhibition of colon carcinoma cell growth.

Amphiregulin↗
PubMed1995

Amphiregulin anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides inhibit growth and transformation of a human colon carcinoma cell line.

Amphiregulin (AR) is a secreted heparin-binding growth factor that is structurally and functionally related to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha). GEO cells are from a human colon cancer cell line that expresses high levels of AR protein and mRNA. To assess the role of AR in colon-cancer cell proliferation and transformation, 2 different anti-sense 20-mer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (AR AS-1 and AR AS-2 S-oligos) complementary to the 5' sequence of AR mRNA were synthesized. Both AR AS S-oligos were able to inhibit the anchorage-dependent growth (ADG) of GEO cells. The 2 AR AS S-oligos were equipotent when used in equimolar concentrations. In particular, a 40% growth inhibition was observed at a concentration of 10 microM, while a mis-sense S-oligo used as control had no effect on GEO cell growth. The AR AS-1 S-oligo used at the same concentration also inhibited by 40% the 3H-thymidine incorporation by DNA of GEO cells. The anchorage-independent growth (AIG) of GEO cells was even more significantly affected by AR AS S-oligo treatment. In fact, up to 80% inhibition of the AIG of GEO cells was observed when cells were treated with 10 microM of both AR AS S-oligos. Finally, the AR AS S-oligos were able to specifically inhibit AR protein expression in GEO cells, as assessed by immunocytochemistry. These data suggest that AR is involved in colon-cancer cell transformation, and that AR may represent a suitable target for gene therapy in human colon carcinomas.

Amphiregulin↗
PubMed1995

A population based study of Helicobacter pylori infection in a European country: the San Marino Study. Relations with gastrointestinal diseases.

Helicobacter pylori is present worldwide but few large population studies exist on the epidemiology of the infection. A random cross sectional study was performed of H pylori infection in the adult population of San Marino, a European country with high gastric cancer rate, to assess its prevalence and to evaluate its relations with gastrointestinal disease. In 2237 subjects (77% of the initial sample) H pylori IgG antibodies were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. A questionnaire including questions about occupation, place of birth, and smoking was given to all subjects. Dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer in the subjects, relatives, and partners as well as use of drug, dental treatment/prostheses, and gastrointestinal endoscopies, were evaluated by multivariate analysis. H pylori prevalence was of 51%, increased with age from 23% (20-29 years) to 68% (> or = 70 years), and was higher among manual workers. H pylori was independently associated with ulcer (OR = 1.63, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.16 to 2.27), H2 antagonists (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.21 to 3.10), and benzodiazepines (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.02 to 2.42), dental prostheses (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.49), gastroscopy in the past five years (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.14), peptic ulcer in siblings (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.09 to 2.12), gastric cancer in father (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.02 to 2.52). The association of seropositivity with history of ulcer, gastric cancer in family, gastroscopy, and H2 antagonists suggests that H pylori is an epidemiological key factor in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal diseases in this area.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reference values of arterial oxygen tension in the middle-aged and elderly.

The lack of available reference values of arterial PO2, particularly for elderly persons, led us to study a sample of 194 normal nonsmoking subjects, equally distributed over all age ranges from 40 to 90 yr. The radial artery was punctured and blood samples were taken and analyzed on an automated, computerized gas-analyzer. The trend of the mean values of PaO2 in the 5-yr class intervals of age showed a clear decline up to the 70- to 74-yr class, and then an inversion. The two regression lines intersecting at this point provided a better fit to the data than did a single regression line (R22 - R12 = 0.918 - 0.678 = 0.24; F = 20.49, p = 0.0027). The relationship of PaO2 with age was thus subsequently considered for the two subgroups (40 to 74 yr; > or = 75 yr) identified on the basis of this cutoff. Because of the significant influence on Pao2 of age, body-mass index (BMI), and PaCO2 in the group 40 to 74 yr of age, the following reference equation was constructed: Pao2 (mm Hg) = 143.6 - (0.39 . age) - (0.56 . BMI) - (0.57 . PaCO2); R2 = 0.28; SEE = 7.48; p < 0.0001. For subjects > or = 75 yr old, for whom there was no correlation with age, BMI, or PaCO2, only the mean +/- SD and 5th percentile of PaO2 were reported (83.4 +/- 9.15 mm Hg and 68.4 mm Hg, respectively). PaCO2 values were not correlated with either age or BMI; the mean +/- SD was 35.79 +/- 3.87 mm Hg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Current orientation in medical management of ulcerative colitis].

Authors synthetically remind epidemiology, eziopathogenesis and clinic of ulcerative colitis; they after describe the drugs employed in therapy of disease, stressing the mechanism of action, efficacy, collateral effects. Authors remember the choice of cortisonic therapy in the acute and severe periods of disease and the specific activity of salazopyrine and its metabolite 5-aminosalycilic acid in the ulcerative colitis and refer about the use of drugs as immunodepressors, fatty acids omega 3, zileuton, short chain fatty acids. Practical patterns of therapy in the diverse stages and clinical forms of the disease are exposed.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1995

[Current orientation on medical therapy of Crohn disease].

The Crohn's disease has an increasing incidence and prevalence in the western countries and also in Italy; genetic, familiar and enviromental factors, but, above all, altered immunity have pathogenetic effects for the chronic flogosis and damage of gastroenteric tract. With ulcerative rettocolitis, the Crohn's disease is part of the chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In the present paper the medical therapy of Crohn's disease is especially studied; it is based on the use of corticosteroids and SASP or its active metabolite 5-ASA. Other pharmacs are reviewed as: immunosuppressors, antibiotics, antimetabolites and symptomatic or substitutive therapy. At the end the authors pointed out therapeutic lines in relation to acute or chronic stage and gravity of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Cerebral atrophy and plasma cortisol levels in alcoholics after short or a long period of abstinence.

Basal cortisol levels were significantly lower in 4 week abstinent alcoholics (n = 11; group A) than in normal controls (n = 9; group C), whereas no significant difference was found between alcoholics abstinent greater than 1 year (n = 9; group B) and controls. In all groups, dexamethasone induced a similar decrease in circulating cortisol concentrations. Computed tomographic examinations showed a significantly higher ventricular-brain ratio VBR) and wider 3rd ventricle width in group A than in group B; no significant differences were observed between groups B and C. In contrast, the number of cerebral sulci was similar in all groups. A negative relationship was found between neuroradiological findings and basal cortisol values in group A, but not in groups B and C. The neuropsychological tests showed worse scores in group A than in the other groups. These findings show subcortical damages and reduced cortisol levels in alcoholics after 4 weeks of abstinence. These alterations appear to be at least in part reversible after a long period of abstinence.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prognosis of breast cancer in males: an analysis of 170 cases.

A statistical analysis was performed on a series of 170 consecutive cases of operable (M0) breast cancer in males. All the patients underwent surgery. The end-points considered were: (i) overall mortality, (ii) all neoplastic events and deaths without evidence of breast disease (first event). Five- and ten-year overall mortalities were 26.9 and 54.3%, respectively. A multiple regression analysis showed that tumour size and nodal status (pT and pN) were statistically significant as prognostic factors. With regard to first events, 12 local recurrences (thoracic wall), one nodal relapse in the axilla and one contralateral tumour were observed. Primary tumours, other than breast cancer, occurred in 11 patients. The observed probability of surviving at 10 years from the treatment was definitely lower than that of the general population. For the follow-up periods of 0-5 and 6-10 years, the excess death rate per 100 man-years was 9.98 and 13.43, respectively. It appears from the analysis that prognosis of breast cancer is worse in men than in women.

Adult↗